The Starlight Hall fell silent in an instant. Every eye turned toward True Lord Qingshui.
"It's about to begin!"
Fang Mo seemed to feel True Lord Qingshui's gaze sweep over him, and his heart tightened slightly. He knew this meeting might well have something to do with him. Even the unreliable Peak Master his master had mentioned had appeared in person, which was more than enough to show how serious the situation was.
True Lord Qingshui's gaze swept over the Five Peaks. To everyone's surprise, he stood and bowed slightly, then called out in a clear, ringing voice:
"Please welcome Senior Brother Yunhe!"
Fang Mo's heart clenched at his words. So True Lord Qingshui wasn't presiding after all—there was also this Senior Brother Yunhe?
A clear, piercing crane's cry rang through the void, shaking the hall as starlight surged.
A colossal white crane spread its wings, blotting out the sky, and appeared inside the Starlight Hall amid swirling seven-colored radiance. It folded its wings, and as the seven-colored radiance faded into a hazy halo, a white figure descended and stood atop the sacred mountain in the Secret Realm.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Yunhe!"
The five Peak Masters all rose and clasped their fists in salute. Even Cen Feng, the usually languid Peak Master of Taichu Peak, stood up.
"Greetings, True Person Yunhe!"
The Venerables and True Lords from the Five Peaks rose to pay their respects. Fang Mo did the same.
"Oh no. Why is he here?"
Ling Cangyan's astonished voice sounded in Fang Mo's ears. It was clear that even Ling Cangyan was somewhat on edge.
"Master, is he that powerful? He's a True Lord too, isn't he? Could he really be stronger than a Peak Master?" Fang Mo asked in confusion through their Primordial Spirit link.
"You don't understand.